UN chief warns of ‘grave’ consequences in meeting with Putin

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that the crisis with Ukraine has “grave political economic ramifications.” 

“It is clear that that we are at a crossroad,” he said after meeting with Putin in Moscow. “I am seriously concerned that developments in Ukraine and the increasing tensions between Ukraine and Russia pose grave risks to the countries themselves, the region and beyond.”

Ban said he and Putin had a “very productive and constructive meeting,” in which Ban warned all parties not to escalate tensions even further.

{mosads}“I have emphasized that all parties refrain from any hasty or provocative actions that could further exacerbate an already very tense and very volatile situation,” he said. 

Russia and Ukraine must use every diplomatic tool to resolve their conflict over territory, said Ban, who added Russia is a critical U.N. member, given its permanent status on the Security Council.  

On Friday, Ban will travel to Ukraine’s capital of Kiev to meet with acting President Oleksandr Turchynov and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to continue diplomatic talks. 

President Obama, meanwhile, announced expanded sanctions on Thursday that target crucial parts of Russia’s economy and individuals linked to Putin.